Stylish quote

“Nothing gives the luxury of pearls. Please keep that in mind.”

Diana Vreeland

Photo source: Vogue US February 1990

Gianfranco Ferre jewellery

“Jewellery is one of the most important expressions, a flexible and versatile way of translating ideas and emotions into reality. Or bringing dreams to life.”

Gianfranco Ferre

Jewellery was Ferre’s first love and never ending passion. A hobby inspired by his fascination with precision, craftsmanship, forms and materials was a way to express his vision of beauty.

He began making jewellery while studying architecture spending his time moulding and combining leather and metals into bracelets and belts that he would then give to friends as presents.

His future changed when his childhood friend Isa Bertolini introduced him to Rosy Biffi and Franco Limonta, the owners of Biffi, the most popular Milanese boutique. The couple then approached him with an offer for designing a small collection of leather accessories, which he first refused thinking about his upcoming exams, but eventually agreed to.

A few weeks later Isa’s sister, Luciana Bertolini was spotted at a fancy party wearing a leather bracelet made by Ferre. The accessory caught attention of Anna Piaggi, an editor of Italian Vogue, who quickly sensed a new talent and immediately contacted Ferre asking if he would be able to design a few pieces for the upcoming New York photoshoot.

And so, from bijoux to jewellery, his journey as a designer has began. Ferre stopped working as an architect and completely devoted himself to his new project.

The more he learned and saw, the more elaborate his pieces became. Influenced by West and East, history and places, he would sculpt the jewellery from gilded metals, painted wood, paste, semi-precious stones, tulle and sequins assigning each creation with a symbol, an ornament of India, China, Japan or the Amazon forest.

Everything he designed was “linked to the “physicality” of human form”, focusing attention on the key points of the figure: a long neck, shoulders, wrists and waist. The pieces were placed strategically to construct the body, lengthen it, add a touch of sensuality with a tinkling of bracelets, a necklace that caressed the neck or a wide belt that would mark the movement of the hips.

He saw jewellery as a mirror of the clothing, one impossible without the other, but at the same time, as individual as a woman who wore it. In its most opulent form, the cascades of precious stones and beads laid over a bare flesh would replace a part of an outfit, becoming an item of clothing – it was a beautiful extreme, a totally new vision.

 

Photo source: Gianfranco Ferre Jewellery Campaign Fall/Winter 1994-1995

Treasures

Like a kid in a sweetshop I was seriously excited to find all these “jewels on a budget”. Ok, some aren’t that inexpensive, but most of this gorgeousness really is affordable! My first stop was the vintage Lanvin look-alike necklace that I’ve already mentioned on my Secret Page, but the more I looked the more beautiful pieces I discovered. The Soleil collection is my absolute favourite, especially the cuff and the poppy statement ring. I’ve added half a store to my CurrentlyObsessed list and will definitely treat myself to a trinket or two soon. Below are just some of the pieces I adore. If you fancy a bit of browsing, visit baublebar and have fun shopping.

Photo source: baublebar.com

Zara necklaces

Love these necklaces so much. Such a perfect final touch to a daily outfit. Hope I won’t miss the moment when they become available. Still trying to decide which one to go for – the all-pastel option or a touch of emerald as it would definitely compliment the ever-changing colour of my eyes.

Photo source: Zara June 2012 Lookbook

The way we wore: Burda Moden July 1991

Although I’ve already told you the story about Burda Moden and its impact on my fashion views, it is this particular issue that was the one I’d remember forever. It appeared after a long break away from Burda’s as they became too difficult to find. My mum returned from work clutching the magazine that seemed to have absorbed all the sunshine, blue skies and summer heat on its cover.

That peach hat, the natural make-up, rose dress so sensually draped over the shoulders… If I was given this outfit right now, the hat and all, I’d wear it in an instant.

It was the time when Linda was blonde just after being a brunette and I absolutely fell in love with that equisite profile, the lips, beautiful arched brows and delicate curlers supported by colourful rollers and a pink hair band. I even loved the nails! It was the very first time I saw Evangelista and from that moment on she became my very first and most favourite fashion model.

It was also the time when Karl was quite a few pounds heavier and André Leon Talley had a fashion industry friendly physique.

Outfit number one that I’d happily wear now, too. Oh, those stripes, interesting embroidery detail, statement jewellery (although I’d probably leave out the earrings this time) and, of course, very elegant hair-do. A perfect woman, if you ask me.

Moving on to the second look. The lace dress. Plus the hair and pearl jewellery. LOVE how one of the models is wearing a pearl necklace as a bracelet!

Design from the cover – one template is used for 3 different dresses. Sorbet colours and adorable hats!

I know this dress is  now a bit old-fashioned, but I still adore that shade of blue, the neckline and the hair style.

And here we have “sweet and modest” tribal style accessories. Don’t you just love that hat and bracelets?

Polka-dots! And I’ve been wondering where I got my fondness for polka-dots from… Here is the answer!

And this shot explains my love for stripes… And straw hats. Would you dare wearing this outfit in 2013? I would!

A few DIY ideas for all Burda readers. A studded bag or tennis shoes (notice the laces made of gold coloured rope – brilliant!), an applique for a beach towel or, for the most talented of all, a beach bag and hat that you can make yourself.

These were the most stylish sunglasses of 1991. Retro style heavily influenced by the 1960s as well as Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly is replacing the cat eye shapes.

Summer hair styles. I actually loved the third photo on the left so much, I drew that girl in black and white. Also love her bob hair cut.

A pink swim suit covered by little pink and white petals and cherry blossom flowers. I was obsessed about it. The model is just gorgeous – that smile and gorgeous hair are to die for.

A brilliant DIY idea. Take a large piece of thin silk 90x190cm or 90x170cm, soak in water, roll into double rope (see small photo) and leave to dry completely.

Use the gaufre silks to drape into designs as above or follow your own imagination.

If silk DIY isn’t for you, go for DIY jewellery – sea themed necklaces and bracelets are very 2013.

Or you can make beach bags. I adore the blue cube one!

Everyone who enjoyed cooking was given a recipe for peach sorbet: In a blender mix together 500g fresh peaches (skin removed), 150g icing sugar or 200g honey, juice of 1 lemon and vanilla sugar or essence, until it looks like a very smooth pure; transfer in a metal bowl, add 200ml champagne and mix gently to combine; put in a freezer for an hour, then take the bowl out and break the mix using a hand whisk; return the bowl back to the freezer for another hour; just before serving, whisk the sorbet slightly using an eclectic whisk or blender, add 50ml apricot liquor, mix again and serve decorated with mint leaves and pieces of peaches. Alternatively, you can transfer the peach pure into an ice-cream maker and let it do the job – the entire process will take 20 minutes instead of 2 hours.

Hope you enjoyed a bit of fashion time travelling with me. Is there anything that caught your attention?

Currently loving

… this breathtakingly stunning one-of-a-kind (literally) African Queen necklace made using an original and traditional Nagaland glass and bone collar as a base, embellished with vintage metal pieces made by the Miao tribes in remote China, vibrant orange tassels and African printed fabrics. Such a mesmerising treasure.

Outfit inspiration: Milan fashion week

Outfit number 3 to celebrate one of my favourite fashion weeks. I know I am a day late as Milan fashion week officially started yesterday, but I am a creature of habits and Wednesday is a Stylish quote day, so the outfit had to wait.

On the other hand they say best things happen to those who wait, so I really hope that you will like my Milan-inspired look.

It all began with an Etro jacket that had amazing details and I wanted the outfit to reflect some of the most beautiful elements of the garment.

I picked the light blue dress because Italians are very much about femininity and sensuality and a combination of powdery colour, silk, elegant ruched details of the back (you can see it if you follow the link below) and delicate pattern of the skirt were absolutely perfect. Then I thought of the shoe option and my mind went back to this very Dolce&Gabbana pair made of macramé lace – sort of the same pattern as the front panels of the coat.

The rest was easy. A statement ring for a bit of diamond sparkle and beautiful Murano glass necklace, delicate enough not to overpower the dress, but to add the tiny accents with the ice-like beads circled in gold and tangerine strokes of melted glass.

And of course, a bag that’s big enough to carry all the necessities, but beautifully shaped and compact, and a pair of sunglasses for you cannot be in Milan and not wear any.

Patchwork jacket by Etro, ruched and crochet-knit dress by Missoni, Flume Murano glass chocker necklace by Antica Murina, Rita 2 sunglasses by MaxMara, Chioccia ring by Galante Visconti, Macramé Lace Ankle Boots by Dolce&Gabbana, Silvana bag by Fendi, perfume Bottega Veneta by Bottega Veneta

Outfit inspiration: London fashion week

Moving swiftly to London now and celebrating the start of the fashion week with a new outfit. Unlike the previous one, this look is a mix of high street and high end designers because that’s very British to me. “The local” high street is known for beautiful pieces and accessories, so it would be a shame not to use any.

On a P.S. kind of note. A couple of days ago yours truly bumped into a group of models rushing to their castings. Frankly, have never seen so many gorgeous girls at once. How designers manage to choose just a few? It’s seems like a very difficult task.

Felt-panelled wool dress & woven wool coat, both by Nicole Farhi, beaded bib necklace by Jaeger, Aviator Beatty platform sandals by Burberry London, Romeo quilted chain shoulder bag by Reiss, Fleur Oriental EDP by Miller Harris, lipstick in Sonnet by Illamasqua, nail varnish in La Moss by Butter London.

Photo source: lightstalkers.org

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

Five Gold rings

Four Colly Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

click to reveal today’s wish list item

Photo source: Vogue Latin America December 2009

Lets talk about diamonds

What are the four most important thing a woman should really know about diamonds? The 4 C’s, you think? As somebody who’s been to a Bruges diamond museum almost as many times as to a jewellery boutique I can honestly say that no matter how much you learn about clarity, colour, cut and carat, all the knowledge quickly evaporates from your beautiful head as soon as you find yourself in front of the shopping window. That’s why I believe that when it comes to diamonds, all we need to know is a) diamonds make us beautiful b) size doesn’t always mean quality c) it is important to know a jeweller who understands the 4 C’s rules d) the best thing about being a woman is having a man who would love to give you a diamond or two or three. I know I’m probably old-fashioned, but I do feel that receiving a beautiful piece of jewellery as a present from somebody very special is a wonderful and very intimate experience that makes a beautiful memory and puts a smile on your face every time you look at your gift.

I won’t be telling you here where and how to find a perfect man. Right now we are going to talk about finding a good jeweller.

California-based Anjolee is one of those companies you can rely on when looking for beautiful classic jewellery. Having being in business since 1977, Anjolee is now one of the leading manufactures of high-end diamond jewellery that can be found in many boutiques across the US and Canada as well as several on-line shops. In 2008 the company also launched their own on-line shop, so everyone who admires Anjolee jewellery could buy custom-made pieces, from bracelets, earrings and necklaces to bridal set rings and anniversary rings for women directly from the manufacturer.

The custom-made option is something I found to be really special and not so easy to come by. I picked a bridal set ring and was given an option to have it made from either gold or platinum, choose the colour and karat for the gold option and select quality of diamonds.

The website allows you to play with options to suit your taste and budget and then examine your design at every angle by using 360° and zoom features. Your treasure is then made by a jeweller from Anjolee own production team and shipped to you via FedEx. Each diamond piece of jewellery comes with a certificate of authenticity.

If you want to learn more, you can visit Anjolee website or follow them via Twitter or Facebook. Or you can simply forward a link to that very special man in your life because, lets face it, diamonds make a wonderful Christmas present.

Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar US September 2010, Anjolee

Currently loving

Last night I’ve discovered a new online trinket for a girl to play with and treat herself to something chic and trendy should she feel like it. I’m loving this 3-piece set designed by an A-list stylist Louise Roe, the purple ring is my favourite, but I like the other two pieces very much, too. The white cuff bracelet would look striking with winter whites. You can have a close-up look here if you like.

Currenly loving

… these Alaska drop earrings. Available in aqua, amber and rose they are made of gold plated metal and Murano glass that looks like melting ice. Definitely my Wish list item and soon-to-be-mine purchase.

Outfit inspiration: Diane von Furstenberg

The idea of this outfit came from a picture of 20-year old Diane when she was studying in University of Geneva. It was the time when she got introduced to a jet set lifestyle where everyone was “effortlessly beautiful and rich”. The photo, the pose and the outfit, I felt, really reflected this classy and chic luxury. I found it very exciting to try and recreate the look by using modern pieces with a timeless feel to them. I decided to replace what looks like a jumpsuit with a dress because most women would probably find it easier to wear and introduced a tote bag and a pair of glamorous vintage style sunglasses to complete the look. I hope you like the result.

Shopping list: Dress, Mango Blouson Paraiso / Scarf, LemLem / Sunglasses, Linda Farrow Luxe / Earrings, Astley Clarke / Watch, Venom Roberto Cavalli / Rings, both Emotions Folli Follie / Sandals, MaxMara / Linen tote bag, Mango

Photo source: Diane: A Signature Life by Diane von Furstenberg